NCAA Hockey 2000 Frequently Asked Questions v2.0
Last Revised: October 25, 2000
Please read over this list of questions before sending any questions to Tristan Pruss (trUFERblue@hotmail.com). Don't send ANY questions to Jason Paul, webmaster of Michigan Hockey Net, since he's only being so kind as to host a site with these updates and info, and really doesn't know anything about this project other than the updates I've sent him.
So, if AFTER reading this FAQ, you still have any questions, then feel free to send them to me at trUFERblue@hotmail.com.
Thanks,
-Tristan
Q. What's changed from v1.0 to v2.0?
A. Mainly, the installation process has been smoothed over to hopefully avoid the many problems people have. Space requirements have been figured out and clear instructions on how to install the game, including how to maintain your NHL files and graphics, and a simple "swap" program to swap between the two have been added. Also, a few small fixes to graphics in the game have been made, such as the puck files, the jersey selection pogs, and the team names that scroll across the main menu.
Q. What platform(s) is this available for?
A. Unfortunately, this project is ONLY for the PC. At this time, there is no easy and feasible way to make a modification such as this to any console game system.
Q. Does this cost anything?
A. No, the NCAA Hockey 2000 patch itself is completely free to download, however, you need to own a working copy of NHL 2000 by EA Sports in order to use it. NCAA Hockey 2000 is NOT a standalone game, it is only a patch that will replace many (and I do mean MANY) of the graphics in NHL 2000 and the information in the team/player database, which NHL 2000 uses.
Q. Where can I download it from?
A. It is available at Michigan Hockey Net's NCAA Hockey 2000 site. Click here to go to the download page. There may be other sites where it is available as well.
Q. How much hard drive space do I need?
A. Approximately 70 MB minimum, recommended 170 MB.
Q. How does it work?
A. Follow the Installation Instructions found at Michigan Hockey Net. Click here for the instructions.
Q. Can I keep both NHL and NCAA teams?
A. If you have the recommended 170 MB of available space, then yes. The Installation Instructions include instructions on how to preserve your NHL rosters, graphics and saved seasons, etc, and how to swap back and forth between the two games.
Q. Are there any other system requirements I should be aware of?
A. As long as you meet the system requirements for NHL 2K, you should be okay, although it is strongly recommended that you have a 3dfx video card. (If you don't, the ice surface graphics will not be converted from the NHL graphics to the NCAA graphics.) Also, some people have reported having strange problems with some video cards, however we do now have a list of which cards do or do not work. All we know right now is that most cards do work just fine.
Q. Which teams are included?
A. CCHA Teams: Michigan, Michigan State, Northern Michigan, Lake Superior State, Western Michigan, Ferris State, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Miami (OH), Bowling Green, Nebraska-Omaha, Alaska-Fairbanks
WCHA Teams: Wisconsin, Minnesota, North Dakota, Minnesota-Duluth, St. Cloud State, Michigan Tech, Denver, Colorado College, Alaska-Anchorage
Hockey East Teams: Maine, New Hampshire, Boston U, Boston College, Northeastern, Merrimack, Providence
Q. No ECAC Teams?
A. Nope, sorry... At the time we came up with this, we decided to try and stick to just the three conferences as much as possible.
Q. Who's making this anyways?
A. A number of people have helped contribute to the project. I (Tristan Pruss) have been organizing this particular project and have done most of the graphical work. I am an alumni of the University of Michigan, a software developer, and an avid college hockey and football fan. Several other people have had basically this same idea, and several of us have collaborated our efforts into trying to bring out one, impressive NCAA update for NHL 2K.
Two people who have done a remarkable amount of work are Bill Sexson and Greg Glaser. Bill Sexson has been instrumental in completing all of the rosters and is working on the team schedules, while Greg has done much work on WCHA team uniforms. Also, Chris Pfeffer has contributed some work on the arenas, including Munn Ice Arena's center ice logo.
Another big thanks goes out to Jason Dahl, who created a similar update for NHL '98, and provided his work for reference. (Unfortunately, few if any of the actual graphics will be useable because of differences in the two games).
Additionally, the project was made possible thanks to game editor programs written by Toni Wilen and "Blomman".
The full list of credits to everyone who helped out with info, references, etc will be included with the first release.
Q. So... this isn't really a game by EA Sports?
A. No, not exactly. And any implications that it was, including any references to the project as "EA Sports NCAA Hockey 2000" were meant in fun, and to indicate the relationship between this project and EA's NHL 2000. It was not meant to infringe on any rights or properties of Electronic Arts, EA Sports, the NHL, the NHLPA, the NCAA, NAACP, Alcoholics Anonymous, City of Ann Arbor, Greenpeace, or any other party, valid or invalid. This is a completely freeware, fan-made update made for the exclusive FREE entertainment of fellow college hockey and hockey video game fans. No one, from the creators of this project, to the players or institutes depicted, are receiving ANY form of royalty or reimbursement, other than the joy and satisfaction of being able to enjoy one of our favorite sports in a video game form.
Q. Will there be a version for NHL 2001, or updated rosters for the 2000-01 season?
A. We are planning on re-doing this project for NHL 2001, and we MAY produce 2000-01 rosters for the NCAA 2000 project, but at this time, those are still in progress and may or may not be completed. If they are, you can find them here at umhockey.com.
Q. Are there any other download sites?
A. Yes, you can download the files from umhockey.com